At one point in time, when I was younger I was absolutely obsessed with growing peppers in my mom’s backyard.
It was mainly because her garden was completely dull throughout the year, and peppers were the only thing adding color to that gloomy landscape. So, I kept growing more… and more till there was no space left… and she practically begged me to stop. We were eating peppers every single day!
If you work with containers and are struggling to grow bigger peppers, you’re in the right place!
Today, let’s go over a few very simple but effective tips for growing bigger and better peppers in containers. Let’s dive right into it!
Can You Really Grow Big Peppers In Containers? Absolutely!
Despite what you might be told, you actually don’t need a huge 10-acre garden to grow quality peppers. It all starts with intention and ends with effort.
Believe it or not, with the right growing strategy and knowledge, peppers grown in containers can actually outperform those grown in-ground. There are only a few simple variables you must get right in order to grow the best peppers possible.
Millions of gardeners like me grow peppers in containers every year, and I can assure you that every harvest turns out better than the previous one.
But if you’re also planning on planting them outdoors this year, here’s a quick guide with easy tips to growing peppers outdoors that will help you get even better results.
Proven Tips For Bigger, Better Peppers In Containers
Tip 1: Choose the right container size
Too many times, I see growers planting their peppers in the tiniest pots possible for absolutely no good reason. I mean…how much space does a medium to large size pot realistically takes? Let me tell you, not much.
A 5-gallon bucket should be the minimum per pepper plant, and the deeper it is, the better.
Tip 2: Pick the right variety
Picking the right pepper variety is no rocket science. Do your research and, if possible, ask fellow gardeners to help you decide what pepper varieties will thrive in your particular circumstances.
Avoid larger varieties as they’ll need to take up more space, which you don’t have.
Tip 3: Use high-quality potting mix
When sowing your pepper seeds, it’s best to go with a high-quality potting mix. Make sure the texture and nutrient profile are suitable for growing peppers.
A well-draining mix rich in compost or worm castings is ideal. Using basic garden soil isn’t ideal since it will most likely have poor nutrient composition that won’t be able to support strong growth and fruiting.
And if you’re wondering how deep to plant your seedlings, this quick guide on burying pepper stems can help you get it just right.
Tip 4: Add calcium and magnesium early on
Since blossom end rot is a common issue with peppers, it may be a good idea to start adding calcium and magnesium to your pepper plants early on. Crushed eggshells, bone meal, or a spoonful of Epsom salt can get the job done pretty well.
Tip 5: Give them full sun! (At least 6-8 hours)
Pepper plants thrive with heat and adequate sun exposure. Proper warmth and sunlight will result in bigger fruit yields. If sunlight is inconsistent, you may have to move your pot/container around well-lit areas often throughout the day.
Tip 6: Fertilize regularly, but wisely
DO NOT go all in with your fertilizer at once. Pepper plants must be fertilized during different stages of their growth.
I’d suggest kicking things off with a balanced fertilizer when planting initially. Once the plants begin to flower, move to a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus mix, as this will support fruiting much better.
And if your peppers are dropping flowers instead of setting fruit, this guide explains what might be going wrong.
Tip 7: Support early with cages or stakes
Since peppers can get bigger and heavier as they grow, it’s probably best to support the plant using some sort of cage or stake. This will keep the plant from folding over and touching the ground, potentially risking fungal disease and other problems.
Tip 8: Don’t let the soil dry out
In containers, especially, moisture can evaporate super fast and leave your peppers with dry, crumbly soil to grow in. Water your plants deeply, consistently, and apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture as well as regulate temperature fluctuations.
Not sure how long they can go without water? Here’s a quick guide that breaks it down.
Tip 9: Prune for airflow and growth
You want to remove dead stems and foliage from your pepper plants every once in a while to lighten them up and give them room to breathe. Remove the lower leaves first, and then the tiny side shoots once the plants are established.
If you start noticing yellowing leaves along the way, here’s how to fix it before it slows down growth.
Tip 10: Pinch early flowers in young plants
Pinching is a very useful technique that encourages the plant to grow bigger before it enters the fruiting phase. Once the early flowers begin to come in, pinch them with your fingertips and enjoy enhanced productivity and fruit size later on.
Tip 11: Harvest often to get more fruit
Avoid letting the peppers stay on the plants too long and overripen, as they will most likely turn unpleasant in taste, texture, and color. In most cases, the more frequently you harvest the fruit, the more the plant will produce.
And once you’ve got a basket full, here’s how to store your peppers long-term so none of that effort goes to waste.
Let’s Conclude
As much as I’ve struggled with growing peppers in the initial phases of my gardening journey, I do have to say that they’re very fun and quite productive, actually.
Although growing them in containers might seem like a modern twist, it’s definitely not much different from growing them in-ground, as long as you know what you’re doing and are controlling the right variables.
